News & Events
GZA names Mark Westra, Margaret Panatera to Board of Directors, former Stantec COO Scott Murray as Outside Board Advisor
At a Glance
GZA has elected Principal Mark H. Westra to its Board of Directors and re-elected Associate Principal Margaret A.
Panatera for a second three-year term on the board.
Additionally, GZA has appointed Scott L. Murray, a retired chief operating officer at Stantec Inc., as its
newest Outside Board Advisor, a position that GZA first established in 2016 to broaden Board dialogue
by adding the independent perspective of an experienced industry professional on setting strategy,
decision-making, and executing on GZA’s vision and priorities. Murray is joining Richard Allen in the
Outside Board Advisor role.
GZA Chief Executive Officer Patrick Sheehan said: “As GZA works to strengthen our ability to help clients
solve today’s complex challenges involving everything from environmental remediation and renewable
energy development to complex infrastructure projects, we’re grateful to add the rich expertise and
leadership of Mark, Margaret, and Scott to our Board of Directors.”
Westra, who is based in Boulder, Colo., joined GZA through its 2016 acquisition of the former Rose &
Westra, a leading provider of environmental engineering and consulting services to private- and publicsector clients throughout Western Michigan and neighboring Indiana and Illinois including
commercial/industrial real estate property assessments; environmental process design; wastewater
management; site development/redevelopment; regulatory compliance; and pre-purchase due
diligence, Brownfield redevelopment plans, and PFAS environmental investigation and remediation. He
earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., and
master’s in civil and environmental engineering from Northwestern University.
Panatera serves as District Office Manager in GZA’s Chicago office and has more than 20 years of
experience in environmental engineering, with a focus on regulatory compliance and site
investigation/remediation applications for industrial, institutional, municipal, and architecture and
engineering clients. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering with Environmental
Emphasis from Bradley University and is a registered Professional Engineer in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas,
Minnesota, and Nebraska. She also chairs the Associates’ Committee for the Chemical Industry Council
of Illinois (CICI). Panatera was a key leader for Huff and Huff, Inc. (H&H), which was acquired by GZA in
2014.
Murray held several senior positions at Stantec after its 2008 acquisition of Fuller, Mossbarger, Scott,
and May Engineers, Inc. (FMSM), including as Geotechnical Engineering Practice Leader, Southeast
Regional Leader, and later Executive Vice President overseeing all 6,000 Stantec U.S. staff and a $1
billion annual budget. He was also engaged in establishing and executing the firm’s strategic plan, client
development, acquisition activities, ethics training of senior leadership, and reviews of major project
proposals and execution strategies. Murray earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the
University of Kentucky and has completed leadership training studies at Harvard University and is a
former President of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Kentucky.